Army deserter from Lewis-McChord arrested in Oregon

YACHATS, Ore. — A deserter from the U.S. Army has been apprehended in Oregon after he was reported missing from Joint Base Lewis-McChord in Washington.

The Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office said deputies arrested 32-year-old Christopher Lee Gardner on Thursday at the Cape Perpetua Visitor’s Center near Yachats, Oregon after receiving calls about a man acting suspiciously.

The Army had previously issued a statewide bulletin identifying Gardner as possibly armed and dangerous.

Authorities evacuated the visitor’s center and made the arrest with no problems.

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Oregon State Police later found Gardner’s car at the Neptune State Scenic Viewport in northern Lane County. A gun was inside the vehicle.

Gardner is being held in the Lincoln County Jail on a federal detainer.

The sheriff’s office said he doesn’t face any local charges and more details about his case, including why he went missing and how long he had been missing from his post, weren’t immediately available.

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